Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Total: 15 mins
Servings: 3 to 4 servings
Egg drop soup, alongside wonton soup and hot and sour soup, are the classic comfort soups offered on all Chinese restaurant menus. Egg drop soup, or egg flower soup, is a really basic boiled chicken broth soup, and in its simplest form, the only ingredients needed are the broth itself, eggs, and spring onions. Other ingredients are added to taste—like tofu, corn, or bean sprouts—and each cook has a take on the classic.
Some variations call for water instead of broth to allow the egg flavor to stand out. But using chicken or vegetable stock makes a big difference in the final flavor—the soup will have a more comforting and filling quality to it. Many restaurants serve thickened egg drop soup using cornstarch (aka corn flour) or potato starch, but our recipe goes for the equally delicious classic thinner version.
Tradition says that adding fresh ginger or turmeric to our easy egg drop soup makes a perfect home remedy for cold and flu. What’s true is that a bowl of this comforting preparation is the best way to start a meal, and to soothe and prepare your stomach for spicier and fattier dishes that are yet to come to the table. For a vegetarian version, simply swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth.
“Recipes don’t get much simpler than this, with just a few simple ingredients. The quality of each really counts—use great broth and fresh eggs. Serve as-is for an appetizer or add veggies, tofu, mushrooms, and more for a filling dish.” —Laurel Randolph
A Note From Our Recipe Tester
Ingredients
-
4 cups chicken broth or stock (or vegetable broth)
-
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
-
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
-
Salt, to taste
-
A few drops sesame oil, optional
-
1 to 2 spring onions, finely chopped, garnish
Steps to Make It
-
Gather the ingredients.
-
In a wok or saucepan, bring the 4 cups of chicken broth or stock to a boil. Very slowly, pour in the lightly beaten eggs in a steady stream.
-
To make shreds, stir the egg rapidly in a clockwise direction as you pour for 1 minute. To make thin streams or ribbons, gently stir the eggs in a clockwise direction until they form.
-
Add the pepper, salt, and sesame oil if using. Pour into bowls and garnish with spring onion.
Tip
If you'd prefer a thicker version of egg drop soup, simply follow these easy steps:
- In a small bowl, mix together 1 to 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or potato starch with 1/2 cup of water until smooth.
- Slowly stir the cornstarch paste into the chicken stock before adding the eggs. Proceed with the rest of the recipe instructions.
Recipe Variations
Although they’re not entirely traditional ingredients, many egg drop soup enthusiasts find that adding one or more of the following makes for a really tasty soup:
Can I Reheat Egg Drop Soup?
Yes, but that doesn't mean you should. Egg drop soup is best eaten right away because the egg is still soft and creamy. Once it's been in the hot soup for a while it firms up some, and once the soup is cold, the texture goes from airy to foamy. If you were to reheat egg drop soup, the egg would be even harder, with a rubbery mouthfeel.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 3 to 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 54 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 3g | 4% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 4% |
| Cholesterol 98mg | 33% |
| Sodium 1106mg | 48% |
| Total Carbohydrate 2g | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 1% |
| Total Sugars 1g | |
| Protein 5g | |
| Vitamin C 1mg | 7% |
| Calcium 30mg | 2% |
| Iron 1mg | 4% |
| Potassium 100mg | 2% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
